Nursing Activities Identified through Pediatric Nursing Simulation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This research was a descriptive study of nursing activities observed in nursing simulation during a senior nursing student practicum. Content and frequencies of nursing activities during the simulation practice were identified. METHODS: Thirty-six episodes of pediatric nursing simulation were videotaped. Both verbalizations and descriptions of nonverbal behaviors were recorded from the videotapes. The data were coded and analyzed. The coded nursing activities were evaluated for frequency and purpose of interaction. RESULTS: Average time per simulation episodes was 27 minutes and ranged from 3.30 to 32.54 minutes. Nursing activities in these simulation episodes included nursing assessments such as vital sign measurement, associated symptom assessment, and check of patient condition, nursing interventions such as medication, tepid water massage, fluid therapy, provision of oxygen, suctioning, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia management, communication such as parent education, procedure guidance, and communication among providers. Activities in assessment were most frequent, and among them, vital sign measurement and check of patient condition were more frequent than others. CONCLUSION: Students showed enhanced nursing activities such as more frequent nursing assessment, communication and interventions in their simulation experience. Therefore simulation experience can be considered as one strategies to provide nursing students with better and more intense practicum experience.